5th Annual Middle School Parenting Conference Provides Tips For
Navigating New and Age-Old Challenges
Youth Experts Share Insight On Stress, Social Media, Sexuality and Positive
Parenting At Popular, Middle School-Sponsored Event
The middle school years can be as confusing for parents as they are for kids. But with a good
attitude and the right advice, parents can have a positive influence on the choices and
behavior of their middle school-aged children.
This is the message parents will hear at the 5th Annual Middle School Parenting Conference
at Pollard Middle School, November 22, from 7:30am to 12:00pm. Free to the public, The
Glass is Half Full: Positive Approaches to Your Middle School Parenting Challenges
invites parents to participate in expert-led workshops offering practical tips and insight on:
 Drawing on kids’ strengths to encourage good decisions
 Promoting “positive risk” behaviors
 Guiding and protecting connected kids
 Responsible digital citizenship
 Understanding teen stress and anxiety
 Balancing academics, activities, friendships and family life
 Talking about sex and sexuality
 Helping students of color build and sustain a sense of cultural pride
 What really is on a teenager’s mind
After check in and a 30-minute continental breakfast, the formal program kicks off at
8:00am with a keynote from Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W., President of Appelstein Training
Resources and youth care trainer, critically acclaimed author and sought after speaker.
Known for his sense of humor and described as “the best youth care trainer in America,”
Appelstein will talk about parenting with a positive approach that emphasizes strength
building over flaw fixing.
Registration opens on October 14 and continues through November 14. Space is limited. To
reserve a space, register at https://middleschoolparentconference.eventbrite.com.
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Workshops Address New and Age-Old Challenges
This year’s conference is expected to attract about 250 parents seeking strategies to help
their kids manage the emotions, changes and pressures that are common in middle school.
Jon Mattleman, Director of Needham Youth Services, returns to deliver two workshops that
make him a sought after presenter at schools, community groups and religious
organizations across eastern Massachusetts. These include The Connected Child, which
focuses on helping kids avoid the real and hidden dangers of being plugged-in, 24/7; and
The Secret Life of a Teen, a revealing look at what kids really think and do, and how parents
can understand and support them.
Other sessions back by popular demand include How To Talk To Your Children About Sex
and Sexuality from the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, Guiding Your Child to
Make the Right Choices from the directors of Needham Health Services and Needham Public
Schools Health Services; and a workshop on stress-busting family routines from Mitzi
Weinman, the Needham-based founder of TimeFinder and speaker, coach and author.
New to this year’s conference is a workshop highlighting the unique challenges faced by
students of color, simultaneously navigating the uncertainties of adolescence with the
development of their racial identities. Led by Wellesley METCO alumnus and Wellesley
Middle School Guidance Counselor, Bill Craft, the workshop gives parents of students of
color tips to help their kids build and sustain a sense of cultural pride as they integrate into
the Needham school environment.
Craft is also co-creator and facilitator of the graduate professional development course
focused on helping educators create empathetic, caring communities in culturally-diverse
school environments: Allies, Achievers, and Risk Takers: Tapping the Social and Emotional
Well-Being of All Students through Community Building.
Principals Tamatha Bibbo of Pollard and Jessica Downey of High Rock will lead a workshop
exploring how technology contributes to kids’ organizational skills and the importance of
developing digital citizenship. The topic has special relevance as iPads and other
technologies are integrated into the middle school curriculum at Needham schools.
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Contact:
Karen Dasey
Co-Chair, 5th Annual Middle School Parenting Conference
kddasey@verizon.net; 781-455-8190
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